Rewards or Remorse?
Sales incentives, discount coupons, buy one – get one, all grab our attention…if the object is calling our name. Free cucumber and fresh tomato salad wouldn’t attract me even if you paid me. But there is one reward, made up of unimaginably good things, that we don’t want to miss out on.
I’m assuming most of you reading this have embraced Jesus as your Savior and friend. If not, you should click here and go through the Steps to Salvation to resolve your differences with God. Otherwise, this reward is not for you. It’s only for the family.
In Jesus’ revelation
to John (Rev. 22:12) He says, “Behold I am coming quickly and my reward is with me, to render to every man according to what he has done.” (emphasis added) Don’t mistake this for being able to earn your way to heaven. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Eph. 2:8,9)
Also, don’t assume that everyone on their way to heaven will be rewarded the same. The Bible is very clear on that. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” (emphasis added) (2 Cor. 5:10) Notice it says, “in the body”. This has nothing to do with salvation. That is free and cannot be earned with good deeds. This refers to the body of Christ, which we are automatically a part of when we come to Jesus.
You almost certainly know people
who claim to be a Christian, but their lifestyle calls that into question. Perhaps justifiably so. The Bible tells us, “By their fruits you will know them.” (Matt. 7:20) But consider this, we are not their judge, Jesus is. The point is that we can believe Jesus died for our sins and still qualify for residence in heaven because our sins have been forgiven. But we forfeit rewards due to disobedience. Remember the account of Ananias and Sapphira? Their disobedience cost them their lives (Acts 5) and their reward. They likely still made it to heaven, but will never enjoy the rewards available to those who walk in obedience.
There is a great little book by Dr. Erwin Lutzer: Your Eternal Reward that goes into a lot of detail and supporting arguments. This post is intended to be a wake-up call for us to prepare for our home-going so we’re not caught flat-footed and ashamed when we stand before Jesus at the judgment seat (of our works).
Every thought and action
done by us after coming to Christ will be reviewed by Him. But if we’re walking in humility and repentance, keeping short sin accounts, God’s mercy and fatherly love will be lavished on us (Eph. 1:7).
I selected a title for this post that suggests we have a choice. It is not remorse for not being in heaven but for all that could have been had we been focused more on our eternal future and how to please our Savior who gave His all for us. We need more messages that link the here and now with the forever we’ll be part of. If you have unfinished business in broken relationships, a critical spirit, or habitual sin, don’t wait until you’re circling the drain. Make a plan to take care of it today. I’ll wait.